The August 26 Punt, Pass & Kick competition at Dial-Roberson Stadium was a demonstration of youthful energy and heart. Boys and girls ages 6-15, in the company of a small army of volunteers tested their football skills versus their peers. The winners in each age group for each skill category–punt, pass, kick, run and jump–will be given the opportunity to compete at a national competition in Las Vegas.
The event is an official PPK USA event coordinated by the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Ada VFW. It is one of 29 local competitions across the country scheduled for 2023.
The setting on the Polar Bear football field was clearly an enticement for the boys and girls who ran, jumped and played at every opportunity. Ohio Northern University athletes from the Lacrosse, Track and Field, and Wrestling teams gathered participants into color-coded age groups, chatted and high-fived with their young charges.
One conversation: “What’s lacrosse?” The answer elicited the response, “I'm going to play that!”
Event coordinator Wynn Hauenstein told the Icon that only half of the 85 registered participants showed up for the free competition. This was despite virtually perfect weather. Hauenstein praised the ONU student athletes, who, he said, “make his job really easy.” He noted that “the little kids look up to them and that’s really good.”
For some of the youngest participants it was their first opportunity to try punting and kicking. They received brief instructions from the volunteers who coordinated each station. Measurements were taken for two attempts at punt, pass, and kick; and one 40-yard dash and two standing long jumps, with the scores delivered to teams of ONU accounting majors in the Beta Alpha Psi honorary. Throwing and running were where these youngsters were in their element.
For the older participants, this was a more serious endeavor pursued with their game faces on. Tight spirals and straight kicks were their focus.
When all had completed the five challenges and scores were tallied, ribbons were awarded to the top three finishers and Wilson footballs were presented to the first place finishers. Stay tuned for a separate article with results.
The PPK USA competition was part of the larger Made in Ada Wilson Football Festival, in its 9th annual celebration. Later that day a tailgate party was held in Ada’s Depot Park.
